Signs of the times

        In Old Testament days, God would withdraw His loving care and protection from Israel when the people rejected His truths and "walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart." (Jeremiah 7:24) Left to their own resources, they often faced pestilence, drought, famine and wars -- all of which would increase in end times. 

"When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations.         There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire [a ritual offering to Moloch], or practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out...       You shall be blameless before the Lord your God.... the Lord your God has not appointed such for you." Deuteronomy 18:9-14

 

To prepare His people for future events, Jesus told His disciples,

"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near... Watch therefore...." Matthew  24:32-33, 42

As reminders to "watch" and be ready, Scripture references both to prophesied events and current trends will be added to corresponding news items.